A number of wildlife conservation groups, including Port Stephens Koalas, have received a financial boost through a program founded by Oakvale Wildlife Park.
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The Salt Ash-based park, which established the Save Our Wildlife program in 2017, has donated $500 to Port Stephens Koalas and four other groups to help each continue their efforts in conserving Australia’s native animals.
“We donated $500 to Port Stephens Koalas to go towards the koala hospital,” Oakvale curator Lachlan Gordon said. “Oakvale is a supporter of a koala hospital for the region.
“We work with Port Stephens Koalas to make it [hospital] a successful venture, and assist the group where we can.”
Australian Dingo Foundation, Australian Animals Care and Education (AACE) Safe Haven, Cedar Creek Wombat Rescue and Port Macquarie Koala Hospital are also benefactors of Save Our Wildlife program funds. The money is raised through donations made at the park, formerly known as Oakvale Farm and Fauna World.
The five groups are not the sole benefactors of funds raised through the program. More groups will be named as benefactors in the future.
Mr Gordon said more donations are expected to be made in September, which is the month National Threatened Species Day is observed.
The park hosted a weekend of events in September 2017 for National Threatened Species Day, and will do so again this year.
In addition to money, the park supports Port Stephens Koalas by printing out its newsletters and supplying the group with pap for its joeys.
Pap is a specialised form of faeces, made by mother koalas, which forms an important part of the joey’s diet, allowing it to make the transition from milk to eucalyptus leaves.
“We help in any way we can,” Mr Gordon said.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
